What is it?

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Strategic IT planning is the practice of analyzing your IT environment from a business perspective. It is the guided process of asking two questions:

Is my IT supporting my organizational goals?

If not, how can IT be transformed into a business driver?

Why care about strategic IT?

This approach offers significant competitive advantages over traditional IT planning. As more technology support firms enter this growing market, companies are getting fooled. Not every IT firm has employees qualified to advise on strategic business technology direction. Here are 5 factors to consider when evaluating the best strategic IT firm to hire.

What to look for

1. Business background

IT expertise does not translate directly into IT strategic planning. Does the firm you are considering have executive-level business professionals on staff? Do some of their professionals have an MBA or equivalent? You are best positioned to observe if their questions suggest a depth of business knowledge.

2. Technology background

How long has the company been in business? Do they have specific expertise working in your industry and serving organizations with similar challenges? Will they make their case studies and references available to you?

3. Interactions

During the sales process, evaluate your interactions with prospective firms. Do their conversations with you demonstrate understanding of your specific organizational challenges? Are they adding value and demonstrating strategic successes?

As CEO of Optimal Networks, Heinan Landa has been providing managed IT services—including a premier corporate cloud solution and business-focused strategic IT consulting—to hundreds of clients since 1991. After earning his BS and MS from Johns Hopkins and an MBA from Wharton, Heinan crafted Optimal’s business plan with heavy emphasis on corporate culture. He and the self-professed “Optimalites” use their high spirit to fuel a commitment to unwavering client service and technology guidance.